A portable, fast, and preferably quiet MF camera?

[rhechcapel]

Hi folks! I am madly in love with my Pentax 6x7, but there are times when that thunder clap mirror slap is just not socially acceptable. It's also a beast to carry.

So, I've started lusting after a Mamiya 6 (damn GAS).

The reasons I like it are:

• Reasonably fast normal lens (75/3.5)
• Quiet leaf shutter
• Very portable, especially with the lens collapsed into the body
• Gorgeous huge bright viewfinder and rangefinder patch
• It's so pretty

Obviously I've also been looking at the Fuji fixed lens options, and the equally lustworthy Bessa 3 / Fuji GF670. The Pentax 645 could be a nice option with the 55/2.8 and I could adapt my 6x7 lenses to it, but it's a bit more bulky and I believe it's quite noisy.

I am totally fine with a fixed lens - I'd prefer something in the 40-50mm range (35mm equivalent).

I want to use it indoors, so quiet and fast are top of the list of requirements.

I'd prefer 6x4.5 - 6x6 negative sizes. 6x6 would be fun for the square format, 645 would be nice for the extra shots per roll. I see this as a quicker, lighter camera for more ad hoc shooting than my 6x7, so a smaller negative size seems to make sense.

Do I really need to save up mega cash for the Mamiya 6, or is there something cheaper that ticks all my boxes?

 

[ACullen]

A Rolleiflex 2.8 or 3.5 would be lighter still...

 

[rhechcapel]

A Rolleiflex 2.8 or 3.5 would be lighter still...

Thanks, I'll check them out. They seem pretty pricey for a good one though based on a quick glance at eBay.

 

[aizan]

I was in the exact same situation a while ago and went with the Fuji GS645. The shutter isn't the usual quiet "click" of most leaf shutters (check out my video to hear how loud it is), but it's ok for most things. It's the only metered, modern rangefinder with a mechanical shutter.

I was also seriously considering the Zeiss Ikonta 532/16.

The Bronica RF645 has a very solid feeling, and it would have been on my shortlist if the shutter wasn't electronic.

 

[rhechcapel]

I was in the exact same situation a while ago and went with the Fuji GS645. The shutter isn't the usual quiet "click" of most leaf shutters (check out my video to hear how loud it is), but it's ok for most things. It's the only metered, modern rangefinder with a mechanical shutter.

I was also seriously considering the Zeiss Ikonta 532/16.

The Bronica RF645 has a very solid feeling, and it would have been on my shortlist if the shutter wasn't electronic.

Thank you Aizan! I watched your Texas Leica video the other day - I'm watching your GS645 one now 🙂

 

[Ccoppola82]

Minolta autocord is positively tiny and has a shockingly good lens on it especially considering the price.

 

[rhechcapel]

Minolta autocord is positively tiny and has a shockingly good lens on it especially considering the price.

Cool, thanks!
That does seem to provide a lot of bang for the buck and it's incredibly quiet. I'm not sure how I would get on with a waist level finder, but at that price I'd be prepared to give it a go 🙂

 

[CharlesDAMorgan]

I love WLFs but if you don't bond, the most you'll lose is some selling fees on Ebay, which is not a lot.

I love my Rolleiflexes but good ones are expensive. I did have a Rolleicord which I fitted a new Olsen bright screen too, and the lens was so sweet, and the camera really light and small.

 

[Huss]

Plaubel Makina 67 fits your requirements.

 

[dmr]

The only true MF that I have, the Yashica D, has an amazingly quiet shutter.

 

[rhechcapel]

Plaubel Makina 67 fits your requirements.

Breathtaking price tag though!

 

[rhechcapel]

The only true MF that I have, the Yashica D, has an amazingly quiet shutter.

Thanks. It seems I need to think seriously about trying a TLR.

 

[Rob-F]

The Mamiya 7 II is dead quiet, and not very heavy. It hand-holds very comfortably. I believe the 6 is similar.

 

[Peter Jennings]

If you've never tried a TLR, then definitely try one before buying. They are a different beast from the other cameras mentioned. I've never found them fast or convenient to use. But they do give great results.

For a quiet leaf shutter 645 with a bright and big rangefinder, I can recommend the Konica Pearl IV. However, they can be hard to find at a good price.

 

[chipgreenberg]

I'd second the Minolta autocord. There's one for sale here now. Good engineering and build quality, the lens doesn't disappoint. Has to be one of the best image quality for the buck deals out there

 

[sepiareverb]

Quiet comes at a price. Fuji 667 / Voigtlander Bessa iii. None quieter. I often don't know the if the thing has fired.

 

[Robert.M]

You will not find any lighter and less bulky, you can put it easily in your pocket. It exists in Skopar version (Tessar type) or with a superb Heliar. No electronics or battery, and it will give you 12 6x6 views ...!


The Voigtlander Bessa 66

 

[keytarjunkie]

Breathtaking price tag though!

Portable, fast lens, and cheap? Pick two.


On the higher end are cameras already mentioned: Mamiya 6 and 7, Makina 67, Fuji GF670/Bessa III, Fujica GS645, Bronica RF645. I will also mention some oddballs that you might find for less money: Mamiya Press, Koni Omega Rapid, Linhof 220, Horseman VH-R, Graflex XL, Cambo Wide, Veriwide 100, etc. There are lots of inexpensive 120 folders from the 50's that you should check out too.


A TLR is a fine way to get a portable, quiet medium format camera. You can get a prism for cameras like the Mamiya C220/C330, although personally I hate using these cameras. If you don't want to shell out tons of money, maybe you should consider shooting 35mm for fast, quiet, portable photography.

 

[valdas]

Fuji GA645 is very portable. OK, lens is f4.0, so not very fast, but it is very fast to focus and shoot because of AF and program modes 🙂 It's not that expensive, but it does not quite tick the "quiet" box 🙂

 

[Solinar]

You will not find any lighter and less bulky, you can put it easily in your pocket. It exists in Skopar version (Tessar type) or with a superb Heliar. No electronics or battery, and it will give you 12 6x6 views ...!


The Voigtlander Bessa 66

.... or its younger sibling, the Voigtlander Perkeo II, soon to be 70 years old.